Thursday, December 22, 2016

These photos from the Valley Times (part of the Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection) captured the holiday spirit of the San Fernando Valley in 1962. Street decorations were plentiful throughout the Valley, and the aerospace influence and individual creativity are pretty impressive!

Photograph caption dated December 18, 1962 reads, "Debbie Richardson, 5, Van Nuys, gets a thrilling ride hanging onto Rudolph's antlers as Santa steadies his mechanized sleigh and 'team' for a visit to the Salvation Army's Van Nuys Corps, 14933 Victory Blvd., Van Nuys, from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday. Robert Richardson, 8, Van Nuys, waits for his turn. The sleigh will be loaded with candy treats for all the children who visit Santa. For those who want to help Santa, containers will be available for donations of cans of food for needy families." (Photo from the Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection)

Photograph article dated December 16, 1962 partially reads, "When you talk Christmas around a certain Miller household in Van Nuys, you'd better use capital letters. And underline it...'The decorations reflect years and years of the family enjoying themselves together,' Mrs. Miller said. 'We're a tradition-bound family. It's something we've had since my sons and daughter were children and now I couldn't do away with it if I tried. That's the strength of a family,' she said. 'It holds families together.'" (Photo from the Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection)

Photograph caption dated December 22, 1962 reads, "Reseda: looking west along Sherman Way from Lindley Ave to Etiwanda Ave." Visible signs include Metropolitan Savings, Pep Boys. In the island is an "I Want YOU for U.S. Army" poster, created by James Flagg. (Photo from the Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection)